Drip silencer



y 5, 1959 L. A. TURPIN 2,885,123

' DRIP SILENCER Filed April 29, 1958 IN VENTOR.

ATTD RN EYS ttes Pate This invention relates to a device for silencing dropping of water from a faucet or'the like.

The object of the invention is to provide a device which is adapted to be connected'to a leaking faucet so that water dropping from a leaking faucet will be silenced until the faucet can be repaired.

Another object of the invention is to providea device which will change the dripping action of a leaking faucet, whereby the drops of water will be converted into a slow steady stream, so that the noise of the drops will be eliminated.

A further object of the invention is to provide a drip silencer which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure l is an elevational view illustrating the drip silencer of the present invention mounted on a faucet, and with parts broken away and in section.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken through the drip silencer of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken through a modified form of drip silencer.

Figure 4 is an elevational view of the drip silencer of Figure 3, with the parts separated, and with parts broken away and in section.

Referring in detail to the drawings, and more particularly to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the numeral indicates a body member which may be a sink, tub or the like, while the numeral 11 designates a conventional faucet. The present invention is directed to a drip silencer which is indicated generally by the numeral 12, and the drip silencer 12 serves to eliminate the noise of leaking or dripping water which may issue from the outlet end of the faucet 11.

As shown in the drawings, the drip silencer 12 is shown to comprise a body member which is made of flexible or resilient material such as rubber or a suitable plastic, and the body member has a flaring formation so that the upper end is larger in cross section than the smaller end and this construction permits the body member to be readily pushed onto the outlet end of the faucet 11, and wherein accidental dislodgment or disengagement of the body member from the faucet 11 will be prevented. The body member is shown to include a fitting 13 of resilient material and the upper end of the fitting 13 is open as at 14, while the lower end is closed as at 15. An aperture or opening 16 is arranged in the lower end of the fitting 13, and the numeral 17 indicates a cord which extends through the aperture 16, there being a knot 18 in the upper end of the cord 17. As shown in Figure 1 the lower portion of the cord 17 engages the tub or member 10.

It is to be noted that when the device of Figures 1 and 2 is to be used, as for example when the faucet 11 is dripis arranged-in the lower end of the fitting 20.

ping water into the member 10, the fitting 13 can be mounted on the outletv end of the faucetv 11 so that the drops will collect in the fitting 13 and these drops will be converted into a steady stream which will flow down the cord 17 by capillary action, so that this stream of Water will enter the member or tub 10 withoutcausing the usual noise that results from drops.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, there is shown a modified drip silencer which is indicated generally by the numeral 19, and the drip silencer 19 can be used in lieu of or instead of the drip silencer 12. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the drip silencer 19 includes a fitting 20 of resilient or flexible material, and the fitting 20 has a flaring shape so that the upper end is larger than the lower end. .The interior .of'the fitting 20 is pro vided with a plurality of stepped surfaces or recessed surfaces 23 which permit the fitting 20 to be mounted on faucets ofdifferent sizes. The upper end of the fitting 20 is open as at 21, andthe'lower end is open as at 22.

Arranged adjacentthe lower end of the fitting 20 is a groove 24, and the numeral 25 indicates a bushing which The bushing 25 is provided with an upper flange 26 which seats in the groove 24, and the bushing 25 further includes a wall member 27 and there is provided an aperture or opening 28 in the lower end of the bushing 25. The numeral 29 indicates a cord which extends through the opening 28, and a knot 30 is arranged in the upper portion of the cord 29. The cord 29 serves the same purpose as the previously described cord 17.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a device which is especially suitable for use in silencing drops of water falling from a faucet. According to the drawings, it will be seen that in Figures 1 and 2 the drip silencer 12 includes the fitting 13 which is adapted to be mounted on the outlet end of the faucet 11 so that drops from the faucet 11 will be collected in the fitting 13, and these drops will be converted into a stream of water which will flow down the cord 17 by capillary action or the like, so that the water will be directed to the bottom of the member 10 whereby the noise from the drops will be eliminated or prevented. The knot 18 Pre vents the cord 17 from being pulled through the opening 16, and the knot 18 also serves to soak up the water in the fitting 13 whereby this water can then pass down the cord 17. When the device is no longer needed, as for example after the leak in the faucet 11 has been repaired, the member 12 can be readily disconnected or removed from the faucet.

In the modified drip silencer 19 shown in Figures 3 and 4, the fitting 20 is provided with the stepped or re cessed surfaces 23 and this arrangement permits the fitting to be mounted on faucets of different sizes or shapes. The bushing 25 has its flange 26 seated in the groove 24, and the cord 29 extends through the opening 28 in the lower end of the bushing 25. Thus, with the drip silencer 19 mounted on a leaking faucet, it will be seen that drops from the faucet will be collected in the fitting 2h whereby the water will then pass down the cord 29 so that this water will be received in a member such as a sink in such a manner that noise from the leak or drops will be eliminated.

The parts can be made of any suitable material and in different shapes or sizes.

The fitting may be made of any suitable material such as rubber, and the cord may be made of a suitable material such as cotton. The bushing 25 may be made of a suitable non-corrosive material such as brass.

It will be seen that the drip silencer of the present invention will function to turn drops of water into a steady flow down a wet cord. The device is especially beneficial a,sss,12a

to persons sleep is disturbed by such dro s of water, and the device of the present invention is adapted to he used temporarily until permanent repairs can be made.

The fitting 13 will fltdiflerent types of faucetsand be fore use, the cord is thoroughly wetted with water in order to be efiective when the fitting is put into position on the faucet. The capillary action of the waterdown the wet eordwill eliminate the drippingof the water from a leaky faucet.

Someof the advantages ,ofthe present invention are as follows; It will silence the dripping action of water, it will supply a slow steady liquid, and it will also eliminate noise and will be an aid togood health.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming the field of invention claimed may he resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

I claim:

l. Ineombinatioma faucet, a sink for receiving fluid fromthe faucet, and means for silencing fluid dripping from the faucet into the sink, said means comprising a fitting of resilient material, for engagement with the outlet end of the faucet, said fitting having a flaring formation and wherein the upper end of the fitting is of greater diameter than the lower end thereof, the upper and lower ends of the fitting being open, there being a series of stepped surfaces in the interior of the fitting, there being an annular groove adjacent the lower end of the fitting, a bushing having a flange on its upper end seated in said groove, said bushing including a wall portion and said bushing having an aperture in its lower end, and a cord extending through said aperture and having a knot on its upper end, the lower portion of the cord adapted to engage the sink which receives fluid from the faucet.

2. In a drip silencer, a fitting of resilient material, said fitting having a flaring formation and wherein the upper end of the fitting is of greater diameter than the lower end of the fitting, the upper and lower ends of the fitting being open, there being a series of stepped surfaces on the interior of the fitting, there being an annular groove adjacent the lower end of the fitting, a bushing having a flange on its upper end seated in said groove, said bushing including a wall portion and said bushing having an aperture in its. lower end, and a cord extending through said aperture and having a knot on its upper end.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

